DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Headed east, the D'Youville University men's basketball team got back in the win column Friday evening with a 94-69 win over Mercy University.
 
The Saints (6-10, 3-2 ECC) were led by Trayton Trice (Romeoville, Ill.) with 22 points while Chase Jenkins (Titusville, Fla.) added 21 points. Nasir Hammonds (Norfolk, Va.) had an all-round strong game, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Trice also had seven board with Noah Hutchins (Buffalo, N.Y.) dishing the ball around for five assists.
 
DYU jumped out to an early 15-5 lead, thanks in part to Jenkins' 10 points in the first five minutes of play. During that span, the Saints knocked-down three three-pointers with two by Jenkins and one by Mason Putnam (Prattsburgh, N.Y.).
 
The Mavs might a comeback, cutting the lead to three to make it 20-17 with just over six minutes until the break. DYU was able to regain the momentum going into the break, going on a 16-5 run to lead 36-22 at halftime. The run was capped by Kevin Thompson (Buffalo, N.Y.) hitting a pair of threes.
 
The Saints continued to apply the pressure, gaining a lead by 19 points in the first four minutes of the second half. DYU scored six unanswered to help get the lead with Hammonds converting the and-one opportunity and Trice knocking one down from beyond the arc.
 
DYU saw their lead grow to as many as 23 points in the late going of regulation with Birdsong helping the Saints get the achievement with a bucket in the paint. D'Youville saw their biggest lead come in the final seconds of the game as Nelson St. Louis (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) scored the final six points to help DYU gain the lead of 25 points.
 
DYU went 36-for-72 (50.0 percent) from the field and 16-for-33 (48.5 percent) from beyond the arc. Mercy went 20-for-56 (35.7 percent) from the floor and 6-for-16 (37.5 percent) from the three-point line.
 
The Saints also turned defense into offense, scoring 24 points off turnovers to the Mavs' four points. DYU also held a big advantage in the paint, scoring 40 points to Mercy's 24 points.
 
DYU will be back in action this Sunday, January 21st, as they travel to St. Thomas Aquinas College for a 3 p.m. tip.